Scientific Instrument Specialist

Accountabilities:

Responsible for scientific instruments and equipment that support teaching and research in the chemistry department.
Specific responsibilities include the following:

• preventive and routine maintenance of department instrumentation and equipment including computer and software upgrades;
• proper and timely repair of instruments and laboratory equipment, including communication and coordination with vendor service engineers as needed;
• coordination and collaboration with faculty and department staff to troubleshoot instrument and equipment problems;
• participation in the evaluation, procurement, site preparation, and installation of new/upgraded instrumentation and other related laboratory equipment and software, as needed; and
• ordering, stocking, and transporting compressed gasses, cryogens, solvents, and other materials associated with the operation of laboratory instruments and equipment.

Additional position requirements include:

• Accountable for maintaining records of instruments/equipment and associated computers; including history, status, and vendor contact information. Responsible for maintaining historical logs of instrument and equipment maintenance and repair.
• Liaise with ITS to install, maintain, and troubleshoot computers associated with instruments and equipment.
• Consistent with expertise and department need, accountable for assisting faculty and students in the proper use of instruments and equipment. Should be a repository of knowledge for the basic use and care of instruments and equipment.
• Maintains high level of availability and accessibility to faculty and staff, and be responsive to unpredictable instrument and equipment failures.
• Liaise with Facilities to remedy issues with building infrastructure (e.g., electrical, plumbing, exhaust, HVAC, humidity) that negatively affect instrument and equipment operation, performance, and longevity. Regularly monitors the building to detect issues with the building infrastructure.
• Accountable for adherence to Colgate University's laboratory safety policies, practices, and procedures that ensure a safe learning environment for students, staff, and faculty. Accountable for staying current with relevant regulations (e.g. health and safety) and availing oneself of relevant training offered by Colgate's Office of Environmental, Health, and Safety.
• Accountable for serving as a resource to faculty and staff in the broader Division of Mathematics and the Natural Sciences. As needed, may assist the NASC Division Director with division repair budget allocations.

Scientific Instruments and Equipment

Demonstrated ability to diagnose problems with scientific instruments and equipment, and arrange for proper maintenance and repair. Knowledge of instruments and equipment sufficient to assist others, as needed. Demonstrated ability to understand lab equipment specifications to assist with instrument/equipment procurement and site preparation for installation. Demonstrated ability to learn to use and maintain new instruments and equipment.

Technology

Demonstrated ability to effectively manage computers interfaced with instrumentation and equipment. Ability to diagnose and resolve hardware and software problems. Demonstrated ability to assist faculty and students in the use of computers interfaced with instrumentation and equipment including data backup and data transfer between computers. Broad expertise with computer hardware and software. Ability to effectively coordinate with Colgate's ITS.

Laboratory Support

Demonstrated ability to organize lab environment and effectively manage inventory levels of materials and supplies (e.g., compressed gases and cryogens, spare parts). Support of the lab environment will require the ability to do some lifting of heavy objects.

Regulatory and Safety Knowledge

Working knowledge of laboratory safety policies, practices and procedures sufficient to ensure a safe environment for students, staff and faculty.

Personal Accountability for Results

Takes responsibility for decisions, performance, and outcomes; behaves in a responsible manner with a positive attitude; shows self-awareness and an openness to feedback; seeks to be helpful.

Effective Communication

Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills; shares information and seeks input from others; adapts communication to different audiences; protects private and confidential information.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Analyzes and prioritizes situations to identify and solve problems; generates solutions to improve efficiency and quality; involves others in solving problems and making decisions; factors organizational goals into decisions; makes clear, transparent, and timely decisions.

Change Management

Responds positively to changing university initiatives and readily adapts behavior to maintain effective performance; understands the long-term direction of the university and can relate this to departmental area; adapts to new methodologies; identifies and acts on areas where change is appropriate.

Leadership and Teamwork

Applies skills and knowledge to provide a climate to achieve departmental and organizational success; balances individual and department goals; helps others perform at their best; builds productive relationships to enhance individual and organizational effectiveness; treats others with respect; resolves conflicts among team members.

Creativity and Innovation

Generates, explores, encourages, and implements innovative ways of creating strategic value for the university, division, department, and individual level; critically assesses the effectiveness of new initiatives.

Diversity and Inclusion

Demonstrates respect for people and their differences; understands the benefits of a diverse workforce; earns the trust and respect of others; includes and welcomes others; works to understand the perspective of others; promotes opportunities to experience diversity within our community.

Sustainability

Understands the impact of decision making and personal behavior in achieving the university's commitment to a sustainable and carbon-neutral campus; supports and advances the university's sustainability initiatives; influences others to use sustainable practices.

Professional Experience/Qualifications:

• Previous experience with advanced scientific instrumentation and laboratory equipment, including computer hardware and software, is required. Must have strong technical skills, such as maintaining and repairing electronic/mechanical devices.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently.
• Must be able to learn on-the-job, and keep up with changes in laboratory instrumentation and equipment, computer hardware and software, and regulations.
• Expected to coordinate with Colgate's Environmental Health and Safety Office to ensure that regulatory and safety requirements are followed, including gaining certification (e.g. radiation safety), as needed.
• A team-oriented mindset and the ability to work with a broad array of faculty, staff, and students possessing different levels of technical expertise are required.

Education:

Master's or doctoral degree in chemistry/biochemistry or a related field of study preferred, but will consider a bachelor's degree in these areas of study along with equivalent work experience.

Other Information:

Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Physical Demands:

Ability to perform tasks that require maneuvering heavy objects.
Responsible for following all procedures to conduct work activities in a safe manner including but not limited to wearing PPE required for specific duties and safe handling of chemicals as outlined by University policies and/or the supervisor. Responsible for immediately reporting any unsafe conditions to the supervisor and/or Environmental Health and Safety.